“Not very,” replied Mr. Pickwick.
There was a brief pause.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Pickwick; but have you ever done this sort of thing in your time?” said Mr. Magnus.
“You mean proposing?” said Mr. Pickwick.
“Yes.”
“Never,” said Mr. Pickwick, with great energy, “never.”
“You have no idea, then, how it’s best to begin?” said Mr. Magnus.
“Why,” said Mr. Pickwick, “I may have formed some ideas upon the subject, but, as I have never submitted them to the test of experience, I should be sorry if you were induced to regulate your proceedings by them.”
“I should feel very much obliged to you for any advice, sir,” said Mr. Magnus, taking another look at the clock: the hand of which was verging on the five minutes past.